[Tamela11]

Just started the Wellbutrin 2 months ago. I wanted to quit smoking and Its been so good so far. I was on the lexapro for PMS. but I had a very low libido so he wanted me to quit. Sorry to say I tried cold turkey not knowing what would happen. So I started tapering and so far since going down to 2.5 no brain zaps. What is depersonalization? I actually feel pretty good. I get a sore neck and a headache ever so often. You are such a nice person for helping us all. I was curious about all the other things that I was taking. Will I have withdrawl symptoms from the wellbutrin too? Will it cause weight gain as well? I have gotten some of my libido back but want the weight 30lbs gone. I wasn't planning on getting of the wellbutrin just yet because I have been feeling good and not smoking. Is wellbutrin bad as well?

[Seefour]

Hi all, I just got back from my barrium swallow, nasty stuff lol.

I'm feeling pretty good today, even though my throat dosen't feel 100% still, it's feeling a lot better. And nothing jumped out at them on the test, no masses or bumps, so that's a huge weight lifted from my shoulders. my anxiety seems to be going away, hopefully I countinue on like this!

Hope everyone is having a good day.

[Skywalk]

Aunty,

Do you know about how long on average the emotional withdrawals last? About 3-4 weeks ago I got hit with it pretty bad...so about the end of the 3 month mark off. I have no desire to do anything and feel pretty hopeless.

Skywalk

[lenushkina1]

Hi, I have been a silent reader of this post for a week or so, but I think i need your emotional support and knowledge more than ever.
I was on Lexapro for about 1 yr and 3mos - at 15mg for the first 8 mos, and then 10mg for the rest of the period. While I am not a happy go lucky type of person, I have never really been depressed and never really had anxiety attacks. The reason I was prescribed the pill, was that i received a stress related stomach problem (severe acid reflux)and was unable to swallow anything besides water. I got a major anxiety attack, who knows maybe it was even a psychotic break, i am not sure, but thats the reason I got put on Lexapro. The doctor advised me to take it for 1.5 years and I was planning to start weaning off in April

Several weeks ago, I found out I was pregnant, so that same doctor told me to get off it, by cutting down to 5mg for 2 weeks before stopping. I did 1 week and I stopped. That was 10 days ago.
There is no point in describing the symptoms - I think I have gotten every possible one with the brain zaps and the spaced out feeling being the ones that disturb me the most.
I was pretty positive about the fact that those will go away and I will finally be LEXAPRO free, but its been 10 days and there is NOT EVEN a SIGN of improvement.
I think I am getting very worried - and I need an intelligent answer here - are there any cases where your brain just gets damaged and the brain zaps and spaced out feeling NEVER go away???
Please dont tell me that I got off it too quickly - I simply had no choice and I cant turn back time. I have no plans on getting back on LExapro regardless, I am just hoping to know that my brain isnt damaged and my two symptoms will go away.
On another note, I wanted to share my dear friend was on Lexapro, and as soon as he saw what I was going through, he quit "cold turkey"
NO SYMPTOMS, whatsoever and its been 6 days! Now, how is this fair??
I will be impatiently waiting for your positive responses.
Thank you

[Patience]

lenushkina1:

They shouldn't last forever, but when you go off cold turkey, as you can see from the rest of us, it hits you harder. Read the article below and it will help explain what might be happening. A lot of people say that dramamine and benedryl help for the brain zaps.

http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/...ssants-ADF.htm

I was on Effexor for acouple months and went off cold turkey and 5 months later am still dealing with sore muscles, weird burning skin feelings and fatigue. Every once in a while a new side effect shows up and then usually in a few weeks it subsides. It's different for everyone. I have gone off cold turkey from lexapro before and had NO side effects!! weird.

Skywalk: Hang in there!! You will be okay. Remember that what you're feeling is one of the biggest side effects of withdrawal. You're going to be okay

xoxoxo

[tavee]

HI AUNTY

I DID NOTICE YESTERDAY THAT MY STOMACH WAS BOTHERING ME A LITTLE AND TODAY I MUST HAVE HAD A BOWEL MOVEMEMENT(SORRY) MORE THAN 3 TIMES.MY STOMACH WAS UPSET.

IS THAT ALSO PART OF THE WITHDRAWAL EVEN THOUGH MY TAPER STARTED MONDAY ON 3 ML.

WHAT DO U RECOMMEND FOR STOMACH ISSUES?

THANKS
TAVEE

[Skywalk]

Thanks, Patience...I needed that. I feel awful today. I tried to go for a short walk down the street and I only made it several feet. I feel so brain numb and I'm dizzy and disconnected. It's like I have a concussion. This is so scary. I'm also very tired most of the day. This is not like any other sickness where you get better as time goes on. I feel like I'm getting worse before it's suppose to get better. Just a month ago I made it to an x-mas party and today I could not get out of the house.

Have you had any relief at all with the muscle pain? The burning is weird, too. I only had a couple of times during this.

Also, I know what you mean about three weeks...seems like things change every three weeks. Or I get weird little symptoms that show up and then leave three days later.

xoxo

[Skywalk]

Lenus,
I've looked high and low for reports of permanent brain damage and cannot find any. But recovery for some can take months and months. Most people seem to be okay after a few weeks or so.

Do you have vivid dreams that you did not have before the drug? That's always a good way to tell if the drug is in system. This is only from my own experience. I never had withdrawals that lasted for more than six weeks before this horrible Lexapro withdrawal and I could always function during those withdrawals. I have been on Paxil and Prozac in the past and I had a some heart beat skips, slight dizziness and vivid dreams after getting off the drugs. But I noticed that once the dreams were gone I felt like myself again.

I had seriously bad, vivid dreams last night and woke up in a sweat so I know the drug is still in me.

[Patience]

Skywalk:

It is weird how it gets worse (hopefully before it gets better ) later on for us and others who have had a bad reaction. I was looking on another site that had more effexor links and those poeple are going through the same stuff, but it seems like more muscle side effects like you said. Mine have not gone away! Still have a stiff neck, sore shoulders, back of legs etc. Comes and goes too, weird.

So you had that weird skin sensation as well?

I am still very tired as well, but as soon as I try to go to sleep, whammo, I'm awake! It's so weird to live in a world where you barely do anything but get by during the day and then go to bed again. Sometimes I don't even want to get out of bed because I know it will set in yet again Fun times...

[tavee]

SKYWALK

SO U ARE STILL FEELING DISCONNECTED HUH?
WHAT DO U FEEL LIKE WHEN U GO OUT? CAN U EXPLAIN TO ME WHY IT IS DIFFICULT?

LIKE I SAID BEFORE. IM HAVING STOMACH PROBLEMS TODAY AND YESTERDAY. IM SO TIRED AROUND 11:30 AM THAT I CRASH COMPLETELY. I REALLY HAVE TO TAKE A NAP.
AGAIN, I CANT SAY IF IT IS PMS THIS WEEK OR NOT, BUT MAN AM I ANNOYED. I DONT KNOW IF U READ MY POST A COUPLE DAYS AGO BUT I WANTED TO GET INTO IT SO BAD WITH THIS DMV LADY. LIKE ONE MORNING I WAS LIKE HAPPY AND BY THE AFTERNOON I WANTED TO FIGHT EVERYONE. ITS LIKE A MANIC PERSON OR SOMETHING!! LOL

WHAT DO U TAKE FOR URE STOMACH ISSUES AND WHAT DO U FEEL WITH URE STOMACH ISSUES??? DO U HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM A LOT??

HANG IN THERE GIRL!! THE WAY IM GOING, ITS GOING TO BE A LONG TIME UNTIL I AM OFF THIS ****!!!

TAVEE

[tavee]

lenushkina

u mentioned ure friend got off the drug six days ago.

it is still very early for him to have symptoms, but if he does get them, they will definitely start around the 10th day or later.

try not to worry about brain damage for now cuz i dont think (from what ive read) that can happen. just pray that u are off this stuff for ureself and the sake of that child in u.

good luck to u and congrats!!

im trying to get off this so i can get pregnant in the summer. i am on 3ml. i have been tapering since october. i was on 10 mg for 3 yrs for postpartum.

we are all here for u!!

tavee

[rubiek]

About 6 1/2 weeks after stop taking Lexapro, and my OLD mind is already back! Ahhhhhh. I feel so down, don't want to do anything, so hard to do just a very minimal task (I avoid things and I avoided a quite important task today--not good. I have to pay consequences tomorrow). I'm also super-sensitive to what others around me say and do. It's almost exactly the same as before, which freaks me out. I wonder I have a mental relapse already given physical withdrawal symptoms are almost subsided. Scary.

PMS threw me away and it's the third day of the monthly thing. I hope that hormone imbalance caused by these things is the root of the problem. Even in normal self, these periods are so hard on me emotionally.

Skywalk & Patience: Your conversation topics seem to be highly related to what I've been going through.

[Meesh2]

Hi everyone: I posted yesterday and asked how long these withdrawal symptoms last. I am new and would love to be able to talk with all of you. Guess no one noticed me yesterday
I would love to have a few people who understand, to talk with.
Hope someone sees me today and a replies.

Patience:
I'm so glad you mentioned the wierd skin burning thing. I've had that on an off during my taper off Lexapro, but all I said to myself was, "wow, that's so weird, my skin feels like it's burning". I never even equated it with the taper. "Who would have thought!"
Thanks.

[Think Positive]

Hello,
I had been on Lexapro since last May for anxiety. I had the usual side effects, sweats, hair loss, nausea etc. I started out on 10mg for about 6 months and then starting weening off for about 2 months took 5mg and then 5mg every other day for another month, then took a 1/4 of a 10mg pill for another 2 weeks every other day. I've been off of the 1/4 pill for about 1 week now and still am getting sweats, a little nausea, and I'm a little dizzy sometimes if I turn my head fast or get up fast. I'm hoping that will go away soon. I'll let you know. Think positive and please get professional help while you are on medication for behavior therapy and changing your thinking. It really helps.

[Patience]

Hi Meesh!

Sorry about that! Yes, that weird skin burning thing sucks! Sometimes it just radiates and then sometimes it focuses in on one certain area of skin...? In that article I posted earlier, they describe it as pain deregulation in your nervous system from withdrawing. Who knew?!

It sounds like you tapered well. It is so hard to say whether your withdrawals will change or not at this point. They may just go away, or they may come on a little more at like the 10th day. If they do come on more at the 10 day, dont be scared thats all it is. You sound on the normal good side as far as withdrawals are concerend. Hang in there!!! Definately read all the postings as far back as you can, they are all sooooo helpful

Rubiek: I think that you and all of us will be somewhat emotional and feel down for awhile after this...All you can do is eat well, get enough sleep and do things that make you happy! Mine is watching movies like a lazy bum

Think Positive: Thanks for the kind words, I had hair loss too!! So annoying. Its like my whole system changed, my skin is yucky, my hair is yucky, etc....

[Skywalk]

Welcome, Meesh. I did not mean to ignore you, either. To be honest, sometimes it's hard to write to new people right away because I have poured my heart out writing back to them and then they never post back! I mean, maybe my response did help them, but I still feel like I maybe wasted my time. Anyway, I should not have that attitude. I'm sorry your feeling withdrawal. It's awful. At least I'm glad to hear that you were able to cut down on the drug for a few months. That should help! Like Patience said, you don't sound like you'll be a long-term case. What you are feeling is very normal after just quitting. Most people get better within 3-6 weeks. Hang in there and post anytime you want for support.

[Skywalk]

Yep, Patience...I felt like someone lit a match under my skin in a small area on my arm or leg. I've only had it 3 or 4 times. I'm so sorry you have that a lot. Yuck!

Well...I woke up again from intense dreams and was covered in sweat. This is two nights in a row! I thought the sweats were long gone...grrr.

Tavee...I can't really explain the disconnected feeling...it's like being in a dream state while you are awake. And you feel like you have no control. I managed going out with ot OK before, but since the emotional withdrawals hit I'm having a hard time. The emotional withdrawals have left me feeling fearful and hopeless. I've always loved to go out and eat and that sort of thing, but now that I don't have that desire, I can't get out. I'm going to try today, though. I'll check back in later.

How is everyone today?

[Meesh2]

Thank you Skywalk and Patience for taking the time to post back.
Your words of wisdom are greatly appreciated!
I am not sure if I will be able to do this. Today, so far, has been the worst day yet.
I have a very interactive job and it is almost impossible to work. I am so happy it is a quiet day today. I got to come home for a while and will go back to work later. All I want to do today is cry for no reason. I haven't felt this way in 8 years.
Now, my question is, will I just go back to the way I was before the SSRI's? Does anyone get off them and continue feeling the way they did on them? I wonder what the percentage is on that. Anybody know?
Feel Good. D.

[Seefour]

Meesh you'll get through it.

I'm off for about a month now, mabey 5 weeks, and I'm starting to feel normal, little fatigue, some anxiety, but a lot less then I was experiencing a week or two ago. Try not to think about it, try not to label what's going on in a certain part of your body at any given time, it's easy to fall into a state of hypocondria. especially when your stomach is gurgling like crazy, and your leg is twitching. Just ignore it, you will feel like yourself again sooner or later! good luck, and keep your head up.

[Skywalk]

Meesh:

If you need to function for your job, then you may actually want to take a little bit of the drug and then continue to taper very, very slow. Perhaps even go back to 5mg or 2.5mg. It's not to late to start again. In my book by Dr. Peter Breggin, he states that even a little bit of the drug in the system is better than none at all. Otherwise, the withdrawals can be severe and long-term. I quit cold turkey after being on the drug for 6 weeks and it's been 4 months and I'm still having withdrawals. Breggin recommends a very slow taper. He is an expert and one of the leaders in the fight against the use of anti-depressants. He knows about the addictive nature of these drugs. Whatever you decide to to, I hope you feel better soon. I know how it feels.

Well...guys...today was better. I actually made out to breakfast and then I walked to the video store. I also saw my naturopath today. She is great. She gave me flora for my stomach and i'm going to try some castor oil wraps on my stomach area; I guess it helps the body detox. The sauna can really help, too. It can get some of the toxins out of our fat. Now if I could just find one near my house!

Still feel like my brain wires are crossed, but at least I got out today.

[Skywalk]

Meesh: I forgot to answer your question about the return of depression/anxiety. Breggin states that anxiety and depression should not show up during the first 6 months or so after quitting the drug. It is most likely the withdrawals because they cause "rebound depression." Often people mistake this and run back to the drug. There are so many other ways to combat anxiety/depression! I use to think I could not live without these drugs, but now I know better. They may be OK if you have a severe case of depression, but even then I would urge caution. Do your research...look into inositol (b vit), Omega-3's and google Peter Breggin and Ann Blake Tracy. Also, read very old posts in this forum and you will learn a lot. The reason you want to cry is because stopping this drug opens the flood gates of emotion that the drug help back. It's all in the reading material...

[Skywalk]

Oh yeah...Lucinda Bassett's anti-anxiety/depression program is great! But find it on ebay...it's cheaper that way.

[xiola13]

Hello. This is my first posting on this site--or any other site such as this one. There seems to be quite a bit of discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of Lexapro, and even moreso on how to go on/get off this drug.

I was on Lexapro for just under four years (and Celexa, Lexapro's "cousin" for a year or two beforehand) when I decided to try going off of it, slowly, as advised, because my life was "happy" and I was "where I wanted to be." I thought that I could handle everything without the crutch, so to speak, of Lexapro. I went from 15 mg to 10 to 5 to 2.5 over the course of several months, and by mid-December 2006, I was not taking it any longer.

I guess I'm writing to get anyone's advice on whether or not my "withdrawl" symptoms are "normal." For two weeks in early December, I experienced the "brain zaps" (I'm at loss for the technical term...I keep thinking "prosopopeia", which is a term I taught in class yesterday, but I know this is not right) which were wicked and very frightening, increased anxiety, crying spells over much less than spilled milk, and a whole lot of fear that this was a bad decision. Then I spent two weeks with my family (which was wonderful) and two weeks working in the (very sunny and warm...helping my mood) Amazon jungle (again, wonderful...simplicity is always helpful for me).

However, since I returned to my normal life, job, house, etc., I feel more depressed than it seems like I've ever been in my whole life. I can hardly crack a smile at what would normally have me doubled over, I have lost interest in all sort of pleasures--food, wine, sex, my art, reading, the outdoors, etc. I've also become a less-than-"nice" person to live with, and while my fiance is very patient, I feel incredibly guilty for how I treat him/act around him. I'm snappy, I raise my voice, I shout at my dogs, I avoid phone calls, etc. It's such an ugly place I feel I'm stuck in.

I guess I am wondering how long this is going to keep up. Exercise and fresh air are quick fixes, but I sink fairly quickly afterwards. I know that if I speak to a professional, they will only urge me back on Lexapro (an option I know is plausible, but that I want to avoid for as long as I can) seeing that it *did* really work. I always had plenty of energy and plenty of interest in all the things I love. I was very happy.

Is this who I "really am" without Lexapro? Or am I still in the adjustment phase from going off of it?

Any suggestions/advice/experiences would be very much appreciated. Medline (through the univ. library where I teach) offers nothing concrete and much of the articles are written by Brown University/sponsored by Forest Pharma, so it's hard to get a professional's opinion that isn't wrapped up in the business of all of this.

I'm rambling. I apologize. Thank you for reading this.

[tavee]

SKYWALK

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE BOOK U ARE READING BY PETER BREGGIN??

HAS IT HELPED ANY?

I WANTED TO ASK U WHAT U RECOMMEND FOR STOMACH UPSET. IS THIS ONE OF THE WITHDRAWALS? THE LAST 3 DAYS MY STOMACH IS DOING CARTWHEELS. ITS ALMOST LIKE A NERVOUS STOMACH ALL DAY. U KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

DID U HAVE THAT?
OH AND TODAY I ALMOST LOST IT AGAIN AT WALMART WITH THIS CASHIER. WHAT THE HECK IS A MATTER WITH ME??? ITS LIKE IM CONSTANTLY WANTING TO ENGAGE IN CONFRONTATIONS. IS THAT HOW U WERE?

IM UP AND THEN IM DOWN!! UP AND DOWN THIS WEEK.
I FELT REALLY SAD AROUND 5 AND WHEN IT TURNED DARK I WAS OK AGAIN.

IS IT NORMAL TO FEEL DEPRESSED?? PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS PROCESS TO ME SKYWALK, SINCE U ARE COMPLETELY OFF IT.

THANKS GIRL!!
TAVEE

[spiderc52]

quote:Originally posted by spiderc52

Hi,
i was just wondering how long it would take me to get off of lexapro i am down to 2.5 from 15 .i have been shaving a small amount of of the 2.5 for about four days and i seem ok.should i just stop taking the lexapro.
Rebecca

[tavee]

XIOLA!!

[limegreen]I FEEL LIKE I AM LOOKING IN THE MIRROR. I HAVE BEEN FEELING THE SAME WAY; EXACTLY THE THINGS U MENTIONED. IM ANNOYED, I DONT LAUGH VERY EASILY ANYMORE, AND I ALSO TOO AVOID CALLS.

I HAVE BEEN TAPERING SINCE OCTOBER. I WAS 10 MG FOR 3 YRS AND I AM NOW ON 3ML AND IT IS DAY 5. ITS ALSO PMS WEEK SO I REALLY DONT KNOW WHAT THE HECK IM FEELING.
YES, IM DOWN ALSO. I AM NOT THE SAME PERSON THAT I WAS WHEN I WAS ON 10 MG.IM ALSO TEMPTED TO GO BACK ON BUT I REALLY WANT TO HAVE ANOTHER CHILD AND TRY TO COPE WITHOUT THE DRUG.

THIS WEEK, IM GETTING IN CONFRONTATIONS WITH EVERYONE. EVERYONE IS ANNOYING ME AND IM READY TO RETALIATE.IM UP AND THEN IM DOWN. ITS SO WEIRD.
MY HUBBY HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE, BUT THE POOR GUY IS DEALING WITH WORK AND THEN THERE IS ME THE "PSYCHO" WITH THE ISSUES!!! LOL

ANYWAY. HANG IN THERE AND LETS ALL TRY TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER THRU THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
WE WILL BE FINE!!

TAVEE

[MONDEE]

quote:Originally posted by righ

I am so happy to find this. I turned 19 this summer and I don't have anymore insurance. My doctor won't give me anymore lexapro unless I pay her a million dollars to see her for two seconds, because she is only a pill pushing psychiotrist who has no idea what she is doing. I have been off of Lexapro for a week and I feel like I am dying. I am experiencing the brain zapps and the dizzyness and muscle aches and I remember feeling that way before when I missed a dose for two or more days. Honestly Lexapro does nothing for me and it never has. The only reason why I kept taking it for two years is because I hated feeling this way. Does anybody know how long it takes for it to go away? It is so horrible. What can I do to hinder it?

[MONDEE]

Hello everyone. I'm so glad I found this site. I am 20 days off lexapro 20mg. I was put on lexapro about three yrs. ago while tapering off Effexor. I am a reformed drug addict and had been for 20+ yrs. I had done the withdrawal thing before. When my Dr suggested I go on an antidepressant I said I would as long as he made sure I was not put on anything addictive. He knows my past and assured me he would not do that to me. I guess he didn't do his research. On the Effexor I knew as soon as I missed a couple of doses that I was in trouble. I started having What I now know are called brain zaps ( I don't recall this demon in withdrawal in the past) But I knew it was withdrawal. My Dr's solution was the taper off method while introducing lexapro. Now, due to the unreal lack of sleep and the total lack of emotion, I stopped taking the Lexapro "COLD TURKEY".
At first, I thought all was well I felt good. Then about the 11th day the "Brain Zaps" started and I feel like I am going to die. Is there anything that stops them? How long do they last? And what is actualy happening when this ZAP takes place. Just this symptom alone is enough to give a person a MAJOR anxiety attack. If anyone out there can help me,please reply Also, are any of you having hallucinations. Mine are mild but I don't want them to get any worse. I am a praying woman and before I sent this reply I prayed for God to help all people going through withdrawal and I know he will.

[Skywalk]

TAVEE: My depression (empty, hopeless feeling) started the same time as my stomach problems! We have 70% serotonin receptors in our gut. OK. Do you have a health food store near you? Try to find bean dip with acidopholis in it. I don't know where you live, but in Oregon we have a brand called Emerald Valley. It saved me! Aunty also recommends Primal Defense by Garden of Life and that I believe has acidopholis in it. Plain yogurt (no sugar) will also help. It has good bacteria that we need to replace in our gut. Hang in there, Tavee...it's a major rollercoaster and you will survive!

Not to be gross, but are you having the loose bowel movements? It's finally getting much better for me.

Everyone and new people...I'll write more tomorrow. I'm very exhausted in the evening.

[Skywalk]

Oh, if you find the bean dip you can get some healthy tortilla chips to eat it with.